held up towards rear, brought down 4th
in touch, hampered 4th, mistake 6th, weakened 4 out
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, hampered 4th, headway when not fluent 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, no impression
held up in rear, pushed along 8th, no chance when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, chased winner approaching 3 out, blundered last, no impression
behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
took keen hold, led until 6th, jumped right thereafter, hit 8th, lost 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, mistake 6th, soon ridden along, never in contention
prominent until 7th, soon weakened
in rear, hampered and reminders 4th, ridden and struggling 8th
held up towards rear, headway appropaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened and lost 3rd approaching last
soon chasing leader, blundered 3rd, led 6th, clear from next, driven out
prominent, 4th when fell 4th
in touch, pushed along after 8th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, no headway 4 out, stayed on to take 4th closing stages, no impression
mid-division, not fluent when towards rear 8th, behind when blundered 4 out
DOCTOR DAVID misbehaved on his previous festival visit and if on his best behaviour, he is handicapped to see off Pigeon Island and Consigliere. Caroline Bailey did have a winner earlier on in the week which bodes well for this talented yet incredibly frustrating character. He ran a solid race at Doncaster as a prep and can be anticipated to be spot on for this assignment. Pigeon Island won in the mud at Cheltenham and continues to thrive on his work. The blinkers he wore at Prestbury Park remains. Consigliere was third in that race. David Pipe's horses have been in rude form over the last few weeks and it would be no surprise to see him ridden with a bit more use made of him. Lennon has dropped down the weights to a workable mark if he were to put his best foot forward. Stan races here rather in the National whilst Killmackilloge really caught the eye at Kelso though on the negative, has often been at his best when fresh from absence. Chapoturgeon has won over this trip in the past although is better known over slightly further these days. Ferdy Murphy often targets this meeting so Watch My Back has to be given obvious claims of hitting the frame. A competitive renewal and Doctor David is our call.
Chapoturgeon (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway on outside 11th, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, 7th of 24, 23l behind Great Endeavour (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Consigliere (FR) 16-1 (11-3) In touch, hit 3 out, went 2nd on bit before 2 out, upsides last, soon carried right, ridden when still every chance flat, not quicken, 3rd of 19, 2l behind Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 7th, headed after 10th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 19 ran.
Watch My Back 9-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 13th, driven and outpaced 3 out, beaten when hampered 2 out, 10th of 24, 39l behind Great Endeavour (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Doctor David 5-2fav (11-10) Tracked leader until 2nd, challenging when hit 5 out, led 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind De Boitron (10-4) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.
Lennon (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 8th, blundered 10th, soon weakened, 9th of 19, 40l behind Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Pret A Thou (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, raced keen, led 2nd, hit 6th, headed approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 11l behind De Boitron (10-4) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.
Pigeon Island 16-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, still enough to do 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure approaching last to lead 150 yards out, ran on, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar beating French Opera (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 19 ran.
Lord Jay Jay (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Made all, drew 6 lengths clear before last, all out near finish, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May beating Gaelic Flight (10-11) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Stan (NZ) 66-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 16th of 24, well behind Chief Dan George (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Pepsyrock (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression and soon weakened, 11th of 19, 49l behind Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Chaninbar (FR) 33-1 (10-5) In touch, lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Qaspal (10-3) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs in Mar, 23 ran.
Kilmackilloge 16-1 (11-12) Jumped well, made all, hard ridden when challenged after last, held on gamely flat, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar beating Stormin Exit (10-13) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Nikola (FR) 28-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 9th, not fluent 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 19, 24l behind Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Enlightenment (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Raced wide, led 2nd headed next, joined leader 8th, led 4 out, ridden next, mistake last, headed flat, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Herons Well (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Safari Journey (USA) 12-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 10th, pressing leaders after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 19, 14l behind Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Arkendale (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Soon mid-division, some slight mistakes, progress into 4th 4 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before straight, 6th of 13, 23l behind Clarkey (10-3) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 in Mar.
